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char·ac·ter

Pronounced:

/ˈkerɪktɚ/Listen to audio

Function:

noun

Inflected forms:

plural char·ac·ters

Meaning:

1 [count] : the way someone thinks, feels, and behaves : someone's personality —usually singular He rarely shows his true character—that of a kind and sensitive person. This is a side of her character that few people have seen. the different aspects/facets of her characteroften used before another noun Certain character traits are helpful in the teaching profession. Pride, his one character flaw, caused his downfall.
2 [count] : a set of qualities that are shared by many people in a group, country, etc. —usually singular the character of the American people the character of a nation the French/Japanese/Mexican national character
3 a : a set of qualities that make a place or thing different from other places or things [count] the wine's distinctive character the unique character of the town/city/region [noncount] The building is very simple in character. If something is in character with something else, it has the same qualities or characteristics as something else. This room is not really in character with the rest of the house. b [noncount] : the qualities or characteristics that make something interesting or special The room lacks character. [=there's nothing special about the room] Their house has a lot of character.
4 [count] : a person who appears in a story, book, play, movie, or television show The film's main characters are a woman in her late 30s and her elderly neighbor. She plays the film's lead/main/central character. a fictional character [=a character in a work of fiction] a popular cartoon character the title character of the book Tom Sawyer [=the character named Tom Sawyer]see also cast of characters at 2cast
5 [count] informal a : a particular type of person He's a strange/interesting character. b : a person who says or does funny or unusual things That husband of yours is a real character! She's quite a character.
6 [noncount] a : the good qualities of a person that usually include moral or emotional strength, honesty, and fairness She's a kind and honest person of good character. They believe that going to church will improve the moral character of their children. He is admired for his strength of character in stressful situations. Playing sports is seen as a way to build character in young people. = Playing sports is seen as character-building for young people. A test of (your) character is something that is difficult and that requires you to show that you are a good and emotionally strong person. These past few days have been a real test of my character. b : the usually good beliefs or opinions that most people have about a particular person They defended the character [=reputation] of their friend. an attack on his character
7 [count] : a symbol (such as a letter or number) that is used in writing or printing the Chinese character for water The line is 30 characters long.
in character, out of character
used to say that some action or behavior is or is not like someone's usual way of behaving It was entirely in character for a generous person like her to give him the money. His rudeness was completely out of character. [=he is not usually rude]
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